Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-29
THE RIGHTS OF SOLDIERS.
Regimental and Post Funds to b
Abolished.


IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REGULA-
TIONS B0ARD-SOLDIERS TO HAVE FULL FOOD AL
LowANCEs-A CHECK TO DEsERrIoNs FROM THE
Army.
10 nnd some way OF preventing the large num-
ber OF desertions in the Army is a matter that
has occupied the attention OF military authori-
ties for many years. Heretofore all efforts In this
direction have been OF little avail One principal
excuse for desertion has always been dissatisfac-
tion not only with long deferred payments but
with the food supply. Recruits who We're not ac-
customed to live on the small Army allowances
would soon become discouraged and dis
contented, and would take advantage Of
the first opportunity afforded to desert.
The board OF Army officers which recently revised
and amended the Army regulations and made
their report to the Secretary OF War gave particu
lar attention TO this matter, and in their recon-
mendatlons SO changed the regulations as to give
tne sOder as nearly as practicable, the full food
supply allowed him by law, something that has
not oeen done In past years. Their recommends.
tons, II approved by the Secretary OF War, will
practically abolish the post and regimental funds,
EVILS THAT HAVE BEEN GROWING FOR OVER FORTY
YEARS
at the expense OF the soldiers. The regulations
provide for the daily Issue Of eighteen ounces OF
flour or bread to each soldier. This reads all right
but really there is great deal OF difference be-
tween eighteen ounces OF flour and the same
amount OF bread. Eighteen ounces OF -four Will
make 33 per cent more than eighteen ounces OF
Dread. Advantage has been Officially taken Of the
alternative in this regulation, and while reqlis-
t1on has been made for the eighteen ounces OF
flour for the men they have been allowed in
dlvidually but eighteen ounces OF bread, thereby
making slight saving In each individual in
stance nee These small daily savings multiplied by
%, 600 have aggregated hundreds Of thousands OF
dollars, and from these savings
THE POST AND REGIMENTAL FUNDS
nave been sustained, One-half going to each. 1t
cannot be said that these funds have been squan-
dered, but the money has always been expended
for purposes which no doubt benefit the soldiers
to certain extent, but they do not care to be
benefited in this way at the expense OF their
stomachs. One of the principal expenses which
has been met from these funds is the maintenance
OF regimental bands. The handsome band instru-
ments have always been paid for out OF the regi-
mental fund At some posts the money
Is used for gymnasiums. at others s., for FOL
appreciating these objects to certain extent
the soldiers have always looked upon them so
much bread taken from them. The regulations
DOard, IL Is understood, do not recommend the To-
tai abolition OF these funds preferrng to deal with
the difficulty gradually, and therefore are in favor
expenses such as Tor for baking and for fuel from the
rat1ons issued. These, however, are minor points,
and II, with these exceptions, soldiers are given
the food supply provided for them by law there
Will be general rejoicing throughout the entire
Army.
THE COMPANY FUND.
There is another fund called the company fund,
which, it is understood, the board are in favor OF
maintaining, as 1t In no way reduces the soldiers
food supply, but on the other hand, benefits him.
This fund IS maintained by selling certain articles
OF food, which are not needed or which cannot be
used for climatic reasons, thereby permitting the
purchase OF other articles much preferable. In
Texas, for instance. where the men do not eat
pork they can sell their pork and buy beef, or
they can convert 1t into milk by keeping COWS.
VIEWS OF AN ARMY OFFICER.
An army officer. in speaking TO STAR reporter
Soc l.
the regtmental and post funds said: "Such ac-
agined, and have no doubt would effect ma
terial decrease In the number OF desertiOns This
been recognized by the War Department since
1915; indeed 1t originated in the Adjutant
Generals ONCE OF the War Department.
magnitude, or legislation would have been enacted
long ago to root 1t out. The soldiers have had no
redress. Individual complaint would be OF no
avail, while concerted protest would be regarded
as muttny, followed by severe punishment. The
soldiers have in many ways been long sufferers,
owing to their subordinate rel:tions, and any
move in the direction Of securing TO them their
rights Will be hailed with delight, not only by
% 600 soldiers but by all officers and citizens who
have the welfare OF the Army at heart"
Senator Shernlan's Speech.
HE PAYS HIGH TRIBUTE TO GOV. FORAKER.
When senator Sherman took the chair as perma-
nent president of the Ohio convention yesterday
he made speech urging the denomination OF Gov.
Foraker, to whom he paid the following high
tribute:
"Noman was ever presented as candidate with
more hearty, generous, and frank Endorsement
than he; and he deserves IT, because he has fairly
earned this nomination at your hands. He has
been patriotic, able, brave, and diligent. He has
been watchful OF the interests OF the people OF
Ohio in all the important duties intruSted to that
office. In all the social duties which belong to
the governor Of Ohio, he has been most courteous
and kind. More than that he has prevented a
democratic President Of the United States from
surrendering TO the COnfederateS the flags and
banners which they lost in the rebellion. In this
he has touched the patriotic heart, not only OF the
people OF Ohio, but OF the whole country, and
take pride in this Endorsement OF him by
our unanimous renOmtnatiOn."
He thanked the present State legislature for the
good work 1t had performed, mentioning many
instances OF patriotic and useful legislation, and
concluded as follows: ''And now, when the people
and republican legislature, all ask Is that you
go back and investigate and examine the Speci-
mems which have been offered in the last four
years by the democrats OF Ohio and then make the
contrast for yourselves. 1t ought to be exercised
to promote harmony and good will and friendship
among republicans. Now, my cOuntrymen. again
thanking you for this expression, tell you with
all frankness that think more Of your unanimous
praise this day uttered than do for the Office Of
President OF the United States"
The True Grit.
CONSUL-GENERAL PHELAN WON'T BE THRILLED WITH
BY THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES.
United States Consul George teIegraphed to Con-
sul-General Phelan Wednesday that the collector
teen men captured in the seine boat on Sunday to
mr.